Research

Arts workers least likely to be able to remortgage

03 Nov 2022

A survey on mortgages has found arts and culture employees are the least likely to be able to switch their current mortgage deal.

Price comparison service Uswitch.com conducted a mortgage statistics report in light of rising interest rates in the UK, surveying adults with mortgages working across 12 industries.

Arts and culture workers were the least likely to be able to change their current deal, with 91% saying they were unable to do so, despite being up-to-date with their mortgage payments.

In comparison, almost half (49%) of those working in the legal sector were able to switch deals.

According to mortgage expert at Uswitch.com Claire Flynn, anyone nearing the end of a current mortgage deal could consider looking at remortgaging options in order to pay lower rates of interest.

“If you’re on a variable-rate at the moment, switching to a fixed-rate deal means your repayments will remain the same for the duration of the deal and won’t be affected by interest rate changes,” she added.

Almost three-quarters (74%) of arts workers said they were unable to switch because their current deal hadn’t ended, which would mean larger repayments for the 24% who said they were not on a fixed-rate deal if interest rates rise. Low wages were found to be preventing a further 17% of arts and culture workers from remortgaging.

USwitch’s research also found mortgage holders working in arts and culture spend on average 35% of their monthly wage on mortgage payments, which ranked sixth out of the twelve sectors studied.

But arts and culture employees were one of the least likely to say they find it difficult to pay their mortgage, with 38% saying they somewhat struggle to afford their payments. Only workers in the manufacturing and utilities and education industries reported a lower percentage, at 36%.

The HR sector reported the highest percentage, with 76% of workers struggling with their payments.

Sustainable theatre production: case studies

26 Oct 2022

A multiple case study is promoting new ways for theatre to make sustainable productions. Roberta Mock and Siobhan Bauer report on three companies putting the Theatre Green Book into practice.

Environmental sustainability

Portfolio precarity

Technology and financial growth concept market analysis business growth 3d rendering

26 Oct 2022

What are the everyday experiences of arts and cultural organisations in generating and diversifying income in times of austerity? Daniel Ashton shares his research findings.

Art galleries ‘prime target’ for criminal activity

24 Oct 2022

Britain’s art galleries are a prime target for criminals, according to research by specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical.

According to a poll of 100 galleries, more than four in five (84%) experienced a crime in the last 12 months, with verbal abuse (26%), anti-social behaviour (24%), criminal damage (23%) and theft (23%) the most frequent crimes reported.

The results suggest crime in galleries has increased since Ecclesiastical’s last study in 2021, when 81% of galleries reported crimes.

Four in five galleries (82%) said they are more concerned about crime since the cost-of-living crisis, with almost three quarters (72%) expecting a further increase in crime over the next year.

Galleries reported being proactive about crime prevention. Nearly all (97%) have introduced new measures to protect the organisation and deter criminals during the past 12 months, including CCTV, alarms, security guards and patrols, and additional cyber security.

Despite investing in security, 77% of gallery workers said their organisations need to do more to prevent crime.

“There are a number of measures galleries can take to better secure property and assets, which would ideally be a combination of both physical and electronic protection,” said Faith Kitchen, Customer Segment Director at Ecclesiastical.

“Reviewing perimeter security arrangements, ensuring entry points are well lit and secured can often offer a good first line of defence against unwanted visitors, while CCTV can act as a visual deterrent for those not wanting to be caught on camera.”

Few creatives find freelancing economically viable

freelance arts worker memorise lines

24 Oct 2022

New study suggests almost all performing arts freelancers in and around London have relied on work or income from elsewhere at some point in their careers.

Human resources

Cultural industries set to progress net zero targets

A woman dressed in parachute material

20 Oct 2022

New report says the creative industries are well-placed to lead the UK's efforts towards net zero but calls for more government support and research investment.

Environmental sustainability

Creativity in a time of climate emergency

A woman dressed in parachute material

20 Oct 2022

Just a few weeks before the COP27 climate talks in Egypt, no one credible needs convincing of the climate crisis, but the energy crisis is what’s keeping people awake, says Alison Tickell.

Environmental sustainability

Economic value of culture research gets £3m boost

visitors at a museum exhibition

19 Oct 2022

Funding for further research announced after scoping study finds “significant opportunities” in developing measures to calculate the value of sector and inform future investment.

Museums and heritage

Review to explore benefits of creative health initiatives

18 Oct 2022

A series of online roundtable discussions will be held over the coming year as part of a new Creative Health Review designed to highlight the potential for creative health to tackle pressing issues in health and social care.

The National Centre for Creative Health and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing, which are holding the review jointly, hope the findings will aid policymakers in addressing problems including health inequalities and the additional challenges posed by the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The roundtables, which will be open to a public audience, will present “evidence and examples of the powerful influence creative health can have on our health and wellbeing, and how it can be used across key policy areas”.

The information shared will be compiled by 16 commissioners tasked with developing a set of recommendations designed to guide policymakers in informing and encouraging the development of a cross-governmental strategy on creative health.

Themes earmarked for exploration during the series of roundtables include mental health and wellbeing across the life course, health inequalities, social care, end-of-life care, education and training, cost-effectiveness, evidencing value for money and funding models, and leadership and strategy.

Politicians to examine diversity in the talent pipeline

14 Oct 2022

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Creative Diversity has announced its next research project.

The cross-party group of MPs and Peers will examine diversity and inclusion in the talent pipeline, with a focus on the 16+ age category.

Their work, delivered alongside partners including YouTube and King’s College London, will analyse formal tertiary creative education as well as programmes outside formal educational settings.

In doing so, the APPG aims to deepen understanding of the pipeline of new entrants from across the country and identify critical points for intervention to ensure the UK’s creative industries are inclusive and equitable.

The project is expected to report in summer 2023 with recommendations for the creative industries, education providers and policymakers.

Roundtables will commence virtually in the coming months with evidence also gathered through a global literature review, analysis of ONS data and online submission.

The group is welcoming email submissions of evidence from those who can contribute "examples of what works" to support diversity and inclusion in the talent pipeline.

“Our creative industries will never reflect, nor benefit from, the full diversity of talent across the UK unless we address stubborn and systemic barriers to inclusion, including the vital issue of pathways, gateways and pipelines,” Co-Chair of the APPG Baroness Deborah Bull said.

Younger arts workers 'priced out of London'

13 Oct 2022

ArtsPay survey findings suggest workers in the capital are not being paid enough to cover the costs of living in London.

Pulse report: ArtsPay 2022

ArtsPay full report image

12 Oct 2022

It's been four years since our last ArtsPay survey to gauge the realities of earnings in the sector - four years of upheaval including Brexit, Covid and the cost-of-living crisis. We hope this latest report, from our editorial partners Baker Richards, together with analysis from the Arts Professional news team, contributes to the understanding of the state of arts pay in 2022.

Comments submitted to ArtsPay survey point to sector in crisis

04 Oct 2022

Respondents to the ArtsPay survey say the rising cost of living and historic low levels of pay are causing unsustainable working conditions and forcing people out of the sector.

Human resources

Workplace discrimination in music sector on rise

Three female musicians perform on stage

29 Sep 2022

Survey finds levels of workplace discrimination have increased over the last four years, with female, ethnically diverse and disabled workers particularly affected.

Human resources

Health and wellbeing

What do teachers want from museums?

Art Assembly 2019, Walthamstow

28 Sep 2022

A new report provides insights into what teachers need to help them use museums and galleries more in their practice, for the benefit of themselves and their pupils, as Sam Cairns writes.

Museums and heritage

Children and young people

Culture as a global public good

A cultural site being repaired with the support from the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund

28 Sep 2022

As UNESCO’s World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development takes place in Mexico, Stephen Stenning reflects on the vital role the arts play in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Environmental sustainability

Arts websites 'reduce anxiety in young people'

27 Sep 2022

Study finds first clear evidence that online engagement with arts and culture has a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.

Museums and heritage

Children and young people

Health and wellbeing

Attractions warned of ‘exceptionally tough’ 2023

26 Sep 2022

The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions warns that amid pressures on household spending, providing value for money to visitors is more essential than ever.

Research links wellbeing to heightened creativity

26 Sep 2022

Creative professionals with a positive emotional state are more likely to experience day-to-day feelings of creativity, according to research from Goldsmiths, University of London.

The study looked at a sample of 290 creative professionals who engage in at least 20 hours of creative activities per week. Over a two-week period, participants provided daily responses on their creative behaviours and emotions.

Results found those participating were increasingly creative in both their work and everyday lives when they felt a strong sense of wellbeing and positive emotions.

Researcher Kaile Smith said the motiviation for the research “stemmed from this belief that seems to permeate our culture that creative people are inherently troubled.”

“Our research finds that creative individuals have a highly adaptive psychological profile: the most creative individuals are more open, more conscientious, and have higher emotional stability as well as greater overall wellbeing.”

Study Lead Professor Joydeep Bhattacharya added that while the results suggest a strong correlation between creative behaviour and mental wellbeing, further research is needed to prove whether positive emotions ultimately lead to more creativity.

“However, it is also possible that wellbeing and creativity are mutually reinforcing,” he said.

Call to collaborate

Campaign posters

20 Sep 2022

As the Centre for Cultural Value (the Centre) re-opens its Collaborate fund, Alice Chandler reflects on the value of research partnerships between academics and the cultural sector.

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